Edinburgh book festival images

 

I recall the excitement of my first times at Edinburgh book festival in Charlotte square back in 2009 – and the many famous faces I have encountered on my walk over the wooded walkways, as they left the Press yurt; it was always a surprise and the trying to act nonchalant! I met here Seamus Heaney, Brian Cox, Alex Salomnd, George RR Martin, Liz Lochhead, John Byrne, Val McDermid, Elif Shakfak, Ian Rankin, Alexander McCalll Smith, Allan Cummings, 

 

The challenging light – at lunchtime, with any overhead sunshine causing far too many shadows, or the perfect late light, hitting the townhouses of the square and on Bute house. I remember George RR Martin waiting at the side gate.Or Seamus Heaney walking into the cafe.  

 

The many fun photographers I have met here – from Wales, Italy, Spain and elsewhere. The banter,

 

George RR Martin arrives

Seamus Heaney & Andrew O'Hagan

Unbound

Edna OBrien

Art has always been a big part of my life – poetry, songs, images, books. I enjoyed sketching, singing, playing piano, reading and writing in my small notebooks. I was constantly drawing; I went to visit art galleries, took art at school, wondered what makes artists great – the brilliant composer, the inspired painter, or the great poet. 

 

Art is how I imagine and visualise my references. 

Music is my main point of wonder, escape and emotional release. 

Poetry is how I make sense of the turmoil, confusion and troubles. 

And the stories we tell ourselves. 

Photographers set up Charlotte Sq

Cultural History Disconnects

I had a big disconnect between my primary school and secondary school. At primary we had Scottish dancing, Scots poetry and song. 

Then at secondary we had no Scottish history, culture or music at all. Only English literature, history and music. Quite  a strange disconnect. 

 

Then I attended college down the cobbled royal mile Edinburgh, and wondered about all the history here – the Canongate Kirkyard, John Knox house, St Giles, Holyrood, the Grassmarket – and the castle. We used to go to the military tattoo there every year. 

 

Going to secondary school Edina, I travelled across the town by bus via princes street. On the top deck there were many teenagers in brightly coloured blazers who spoke with posh English accents. In Edina around 25% of children attend private schools. 

 

No it wasn’t and isn’t an integrated melting pot at all. But a stiff social hierarchy. Back in the 60s though, young people had more options to go to study. Houses were built to offer greater social mixing – but that doesn’t succeed. When people feel without things in common many put up defensive barriers. 

 

Visiting Holyrood palace I picked up a small book on the Stuart kings of Scotland. I was fascinated by the Scots history and stories. I  visited the Scottish national galleries, with their many portraits of Scottish royalty. My parents were from Northern Ireland, so I was very confused, as no doubt they were too. 

MY SONGS

 Back in the 70s I was involved with the folk revival happening in Edinburgh and around Scotland’s folk festivals. Many happy days and nights spent at Sandy Bells folk bar. Although in my youthful twenties I wasn’t aware it was a folk revival! Or of the iconic figures who were often on its benches there - Hamish Henderson or fiddler Aly Bain.

 

Now many decades later, I realise its significance, after twenty years attending and reviewing at Celtic Connections music festival in Glasgow, Europe’s major winter music festival, and from my researching and studying Scottish cultural heritage. 

 

I’ve read of the song collector and folklorist Margaret Bennet (mother of the renowned and innovative composer Martyn Bennet) and of the Scots legend Dick Gaughan, the Scottish studies school and of course the composer Hamish Henderson, who went to Sandy Bells back then. 

 

I was introduced to the Shetland fiddler Aly Bain, (Silly Wizard and Boys of the Lough) and who has been a musical director of Transatlantic Sessions since 2005, plus a founder of Celtic Connections. I was also acquainted with the highly respected songwriter Rab Noakes. We used to sing and harmonise his songs – Clear day, Branch. 

 

As a teenager I enjoyed Soul music, the Beatles, Joni Mitchell, then the Stones, Mozart, Robert Burns, Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac and many others. 

Edinburgh book festival 2026 announced!

Programme for Edinburgh International Book Festival has been announced, with nearly 600 writers from 41 different countries taking part.

The renowned festival, taking place in the capital between August 15 and 30, published its full programme on Tuesday, with more than 600 events spanning fiction, politics, science, history, music and live performances. There are more than 150 events scheduled for children and families, along with a young adults programme tailored for audiences under 30.

The theme of the 2026 festival, "Changing Your Mind", may encourage visitors to "stay open and curious, championing deep listening and celebrating our capacity to evolve our thinking".

Among those to appear at the festival are former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who will speak on a panel titled "How to lead a country" alongside former Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin, to discuss their respective memoirs, Frankly and Hope in Action.

Other prominent figures to speak at the festival include former UK prime minister Gordon Brown, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and technology writer Cory Doctorow.

They will be joined by leading writers from around the world, including John Grisham, Ian Rankin, Maggie O'Farrell, Ali Smith, Jenni Fagan, Matt Haig and 2026 International Booker Prize winner Yáng Shuāng-z(Image: D

This year's programme also places focus on trust and information, featuring conversations with journalists, analysists and researchers examining misinformation, data and global narratives.

The festival will also explore the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and its regulation, featuring voices such as Steve Crossan, who was part of the original DeepMind team, and Sarah Wynn-Williams, former director of public policy at Facebook.

The festival will run a schools programme to support around 5000 pupils through free tickets for those in need, along with transport and books.

Jenny Niven, director of Edinburgh international Book Festival, said: “Our theme 'Changing Your Mind' speaks to the moment we're in. At a time when opinions seem increasingly polarised and online debate is so divisive, we're creating space for thoughtful, nuanced conversations – exploring the reasons for our increasing social and political divides, and how we might change each others' minds, or at least agree to disagree, more agreeably. We're also looking at the potential of the human brain to adapt and relearn, and at the unparalleled power of stories to change our thinking."

Niven added: "Changing your mind is a lifelong process of staying open to new ideas.

"By bringing amazing speakers and curious audiences together, around knowledge and perspectives that help us challenge our assumptions and see the world differently, we hope the Festival programme this year will help us gain a deeper understanding of both ourselves and each other."

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2026 tickets

Tickets for this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival Thursday, June 25. https://www.edbookfest.co.uk